Travel to Texas

We spent a half-week in rural Texas this month because of a family funeral. Despite the sad reason for our little trip, I am so glad that we went. We spent a lot of time with Joe's nephew, a soft-spoken gentle soul and his delightfully energetic wife, a woman who'd apparently not only read but memorized the book on southern hospitality. In the midst of their grief, they were so eager to make us feel welcome. And they did.

One day Joe and his brother and I drove around to see what sights the area had to offer and we met this bird and his kin. The resemblance was undeniable. At one point we drove past a pair of emus and I still regret that I wasn't able to get a picture of them. I'd seen a billboard touting a Dr. Pepper Shake, available only at Whataburger. We don't have a Whataburger, so far as I know, Near Philadelphia, and while I really don't like most of what fast food has to offer, I was not to be denied a Dr. Pepper Shake. I'd checked with the great nephew (who truly is great) and his sweet girlfriend who surely is a pixy and they recommended we try one.

It did not disappoint.

One morning we went with the nephew to his late mother's farm to check on things. This beautiful gal greeted us, more curious than effusive. There were a lot of cattle of different hues on the property; they belong to the other Uncle Joe. Some were about the size of a Volkswagen Beetle and they were afraid of us!

We sat together in the home where he'd grown up for an hour or so, just talking and reflecting. The nephew showed us a quilt that his mom had been making for his wife; there looked to be about twenty-five good-sized blocks, mostly complete hand-appliqued Dresdens with kind of squiggly points so that they resembled sunflowers. I brought it home to finish for this lovely niece, and I expect in time it will appear on this blog.

We had a spacious room at a local hotel (that, incidentally, provided an excellent buffet breakfast with spectacular cinnamon rolls) and in our down time I worked on some appliquéd diamonds that my friend didn't want to do herself. The rhythm of the button-hole stitch was soothing. Both Joe and I liked the time with family, being in a different environment, and the quiet pace.

Isn't it interesting that a trip for a sad reason turned out to be so wonderful!